Page 59 of The Oni's Heart

“Really?” I muttered, shaking my head. “This is the last thing we need, Oni. Youalwaysdo this.”

“I did what needed to be done,” he responded coolly, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. “Let them try to take what’s ours again. I’ll make sure they never dare.”

I had no patience for his pride, but I knew arguing with him was futile. Instead, I focused on the task—getting what Momoi wanted and getting the hell out of there before we drew too much attention.

We made it to the food store after that little massacre. The Oni’s rage had subsided—though only just—and I grabbed the items she craved, pretending not to notice the people screaming for their lives when they saw us approach, covered in blood. As long as I made it back to her, everything would be fine.

And the Oni? Well, he was quieter for the rest of the trip back.

“This is why we live in the mountains,” I muttered under my breath as I navigated our way back. “You can’t be trusted in the city. Every time we go near it, you start killing.”

“Sometimes,” the Oni sneered, “they need to be put in their place.”

I sighed, running my hand through my hair. “You’re a bull in a china shop. You don’t think before you act.”

He growled in response, but I pressed on, my patience thinning. "If you don’t control that rage, you’ll destroy everything, even yourself.A man who can’t control his anger is like a boat adrift without a rudder."

The Oni’s silence hung in the air for a moment, and I could almost hear the growl of irritation building deep within him.

“I know your heart,” I added, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you run wild every time we step into town.”

“You speak too much, Tatsuya,” he grumbled, his voice dripping with disdain.

“Sometimes, words are the only weapon we have left,” I shot back. "The sword is quick, but wisdom takes time."

The Oni didn't answer, but I could feel him simmering, his desire for violence still lurking just beneath the surface.

I rolled my eyes. “The world is full of people who need putting in their place. We’re not going to kill all of them. We’ll never leave the mountain.”

“And you think that will stop me?” he taunted. “We’ll go back to the mountain whenIsay so. Until then, there’s plenty more blood to spill.”

The thought made my skin crawl, but I stayed silent, knowing it was better not to fuel his anger.

It was a long, quiet walk back up the mountain path. The sound of our footsteps was the only noise in the otherwise still air. But with each step, I could feel that familiar guilt building in my chest. The Oni had been right in some ways—there would always be bloodshed when he was in control. And Momoi, sweet Momoi, was still in danger.

But as we finally reached the cabin, the sight of her waiting for us on the porch with that same soft smile made all the weight feel lighter.

“I hope you got everything,” she said, voice full of sweetness.

I handed her the bag of food, letting out a long, tired breath. “You’re lucky we don’t live anywhere near civilization. If I had to deal with this on a regular basis, I’d lose my mind.”

Momoi gave me a pointed look that saidshehad to deal with us on a regular basis, making me scowl.

The Oni’s voice reverberated low in my skull, laughing. “Not my fault, human. You should’ve known what you were getting into.”

“Yeah, well, I’m stuck with both of you now,” I muttered, my eyes on Momoi as she eagerly took the bag and began pulling out her food. “And I’mnevergoing back to the city.”

Momoi smiled, oblivious to the internal war I was fighting with the Oni. “I’ll make sure you both stay here with me. I enjoy it here, surprisingly. It’s peaceful.”

For once, I almost believed her. But I knew the Oni, and I knew that peace would be a fleeting thing, always out of reach.

But for now, we were home. And I’d do whatever it took to keep it that way.

As I watched her eat and moan seductively with every bite, I realized something.

No matter where we ended up,shewas our home. The mountain, the city, it didn’t matter. As long as she was with us, that was the only place I’d ever truly want to call home.

The Oni’s presence stirred within me, a simmering mix of rage and possessiveness. It was quiet now, though. Almost contemplative, if you could call it that.

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